Grandfather’s visit is a Victorian morality tale full of anecdote, and an intimate glimpse of domestic life. It conveys the virtue of faith and the strength of family love in adversity. It shows the proud grandfather, the ailing daughter with a cradle by her side, the healthy heir and grandchild, and the caring nurse with a crumpled handkerchief in her hand. The question the painting asks the viewer is, ‘Where is the father?’